Apparatus for perforating sheet material



Jan. 22, 1957 w PAUL APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING SHEET MATERIAL Filed Feb. 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor:

W A! r POwA Jan. 22, 1957 w, L 2,778,425

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING SHEET MATERIAL Filed Feb. 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING SHEET MATERIAL Walter Paul, Lengerich, Germany, assignor to Windmiiller & Htilscher, Lengerich, Germany Application February 6, 1953, Serial No. 335,425 14 Claims. (Cl. 164-99) The present invention relates to a perforating apparatus.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable perforating apparatus for perforating a strip of sheet material at'regular intervals which may 'be adjusted.

At the present time there are machines which are capable of perforating a strip of sheet material at regular intervals in a satisfactory manner as long as the intervals remain unchanged. However, machines which are designed to regulate the intervals between the rows of perforations produced on a moving strip of sheet material have not yet been developed to the complete satisfaction of the industry. The change in the size of the intervals between the rows of perforations cannot be produced simply by changing the speed of'the perforating elements because these elements would then move at a speed different'from that of the moving strip of sheet material and would tear the same.

It is therefore necessary to change the speed of the moving strip of sheet material and to adjust the speed of the perforating elements so that they move at a speed substantially equal to that of the moving strip at least during the very short time that the perforations are actually being formed. Very elaborate machines have been provided to accomplish this result. For example, some machines include elliptical gears which are very expensive to manufacture and moreover with such machines it does not infrequently happen that the sheet material is torn rather than cleanly perforated. Also, some known machines have interchangeable parts of different sizes for the perforating structure in order to accomplish this result, but this solution is very unsatisfactory not only because of the elaborate structure involved but also because of the fact that the machine must be stopped when the size of the intervals between the rows of perforations is to be changed.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the above disadvantages by providing a perforating apparatus which requires no interchangeable parts in order to adjust the intervals between the rows of perforations.

a means for carrying out such an adjustment while the machine is operating. p

' A further object of the present invention is to provide a rugged and simply constructed apparatus capable of accomplishing the above objects in a convenient and accurate manner.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a means for regulating the extent to which the perforating elements penetrate through the strip of sheet material.

With the above objects in'view, the present invention, mainly consists of an apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals and including a support means on which a guide roller is mounted for ro tationabout its axis, this guide roller being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material. A perforating means is mounted on the support means for rotation about an axis parallel to the roller axis and is movable through a cylindrical space located next to the roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover. A drive means is provided to drive the perforating means, and an adjustable crank means is located between and connected to the drive means and perforating means for transmitting a drive from the drive means to the perforating means and for adjusting the speed with which the perforating means is rotated.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; 1

. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of a structure including the features illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are views respectively corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 and showing the parts in a different position.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown therein, in dot-dash lines, a strip 1 of sheet material which is to be perforated at regular intervals. This strip 1 is guided over rollers, and the roller 2 shown in the drawings is mounted for rotation about its axis on a support means, this roller 2 being one of the rollers over which the strip 1 moves. The roller 2 may be independently driven through any suitable means or may be mounted forfree rotation about its axis.

The perforating elements 3 are arranged in a row parallel to the axis of roller 2 and are fixed to holders 4 which are in turn fixedly mounted on shaft 5 for rotation therewith. The parts 3, 4, 5 form the perforating means which is turnable about the axis of shaft 5 through a cylindrical space located next to the roller 2.

The shaft 5 derives its drive from a drive shaft 6 which is turned by a motor or the like and which through the bevel gears 7 and 8 rotates the shaft 9 which is turnable on the support means of the machine and which has its turning axis parallel to that of the roller 2 and the shaft 5, the bevel gears 7 and 8 meshing with each other and being respectively fixed to shafts 6 and 9. The shaft 9 has a crank 10 fixed thereto for rotation therewith, and this crank 10 is formed with a groove facing the perforating means 3, 4, 5 and in which a slide member 11 is slidably located. The slide member 11 is turnably carried by a pivot pin 12 fixed to a crank 13 which is located opposite and facing the crank 10 and which is fixed to the shaft 5 for rotation therewith.

The shaft 5 is turnably supported with its axis parallel to that of roller 2 and shaft 9 on the carriers 14 and 15 which are slidably mounted on the support means of the machine for movement in planes normal to the axes of roller 2 and shaft 5. The movement of the carriers 14 and 15 is brought about through the turning of a hand wheel 16 fixed to a shaft 17 which is turnable on the support means of the machine and parallel to the roller 2 and the shaft 5. The shaft 17 has a pair of worms 18 fixedly mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and these worms 18 mesh with worm wheels 19, respectively, which are respectively fixed to the screw members 20 which 3 the worm wheels 19 fixed to the screw member 20 so as to restrain the latter against axial movement.

The guide roller 2 is mounted for free rotation on a pair of bearings 22 which are fixed to a shaft extending through the roller 2 along a line parallel to and spaced from its axis and connected to the hand wheel 23, this shaft being supported by the carriers 14 and 15. Thus, the shaft extending from hand wheel 23 extends eccentrically through the bearings 22 while being fixed thereto, and the roller 2 is formed with an axial bore large enough to clear the shaft fixed to the bearings 22 therein.

The above described apparatus operatesas follows:

In the position of the parts illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the axis of shaft 5 is coincident with the axis of shaft 9 so that the perforating elements turn at a constant rate of speed equal to that of the shaft 9. When it is desired to change the intervals between the rows of perforations formed by elements 3, the speed of movement of the strip 1 is changed as well as the speed of rotation of the roller 2, and hand wheel 16 is turned to move the perforating means 3, 4, 5 and the guide roller 2 therewith in a direction normal to the axis of shaft 9 so that the slide member 11 moves along the groove of crank 10 to have its radial distance from the axis of shaft 9 changed.

In the example of Figs. 3 and 4, the perforating means 3, 4, 5 and the guide roller 2 have been moved to the right through the distance a. Therefore, the speed of the perforating elements 3 is no longer constant. The adjustment is made, however, to cause the elements 3 to move at a speed substantially equal to that of the roller 2 at the very short time or instant when the perforations are actually being formed, so that the strip 1 will not tear. In the example of Figs. 3 and 4 the radial distance of slide member 11 from the axis of shaft 9 becomes shorter as the perforating elements 3 approach the guide roller 2 so that the speed of rotation of shaft 5 is reduced and the adjustment of Figs. 3 and 4 corresponds to a reduction in the speed of movement of the strip 1. A movement of the perforating means 3, 4, 5 and the guide roller 2 to the left from the position of Fig. 1 would produce an increase in the speed of movement of the perforating elements 3 at the instant the perforations are being formed. Particular attention is invited to the fact that the adjustment of the speed of the perforating element 3 can be made without any difi'iculty during the operation of the machine.

If it is desired to vary the extent to which the perforating elements 3 extend through the strip 1, it is only necessary to turn the hand wheel 23 so as to move the roller 2 toward or away from the axis of shaft 5, and this adjustment also can be made while the machine is running.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of perforating machines difiering from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in adjustable perforating machines, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications Without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the measing and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination,- support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about itsaxis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; and adjustable connecting means for connecting said second crank to said first crank at an adjustable distance from said predetermined axis so as to regulate the speed with which said perforating means is rotated by said drive means.

2. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; and moving means for moving said predetermined axis and said axis of said perforating means with respect to each other so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means.

3. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support meansfor rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; and moving means for moving said axis of said perforating means toward and away from said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means.

4. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axisandbeing movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a

second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite'said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; and moving means for moving said perforating means toward and away from said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means.

5. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radiallyfrom said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; and moving means for moving said perforating means and guide roller therewith toward and awayfrom said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means.

6. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation aboutits axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a'first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said .roller axis andbeing formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating'means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably. connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; moving means for moving said perforating means and guide roller therewith toward and away 'from' said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means; and adjusting'means operatively connected to said guide roller for moving the same toward and away from said perforating means so as to adjust the location of said guide roller with respect to said perforating means; j j

7. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about. its axis on' said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating meansv and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radiallyfrom said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidablylocated in said groove of said first crank; moving means for moving said perforating means and guide roller therewith toward and away from said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means; and adjusting means operatively connected to said guide roller for moving the same toward and away from said perforating means so as to adjust the location of said guide roller with respect to said perforating means, said adjusting means including a pair of bearings turnably supporting said guide roller, a shaft fixed to said bearings and extending therethrough along a line parallel to and spaced from said roller axis, and turning means connected to said shaft for turning the same.

8. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axisand being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connectedto said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; and moving means for moving said perforating means and guide roller therewith toward and away from said predetermined axis so as to adjustthe location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means, said moving means including a pair of carriers slidably mounted on said support means and turnably carrying said guide roller and perforating means, and adjusting means connected to said carriers for adjusting the location thereof on said support means.

9. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means forrotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means-for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and fac-r located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; and-moving means formoving said perforatingmeans and guide roller therewith toward and away from said predeterminedaxis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove'to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means, said moving means including a pair of carriers slidably mounted on said support means for movement in a direction normal to said roller axis and turnably carrying said guide roller and perforating means, and adjusting means connected to said carriers for adjusting the location thereof on said support means.

, l0. Apparatusfor perforating strips of, sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on' said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; and moving means for moving said perforating means and guide roller therewith toward "and away from said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means, said moving means including a pair of carriers slidably mounted on said support means and turnably carrying said guide roller and perforating means, a pair of screw members threadedly engaging said carriers, respectively, and being restrained against axial movement, and turning means connected to said screw members for turning the same.

11. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis'parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means, a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; and moving means for moving said perforating means and guide roller therewith toward and away from said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said grooveto regulate the turning speed of said perforating means, said moving means including a pair of carriers slidably mounted on'said support means and turnably carrying said guide roller and perforating means, a pair of screw members extending transversely to said roller axis, threadedlyengaging said carriers, respectively, and being restrained against axial movement, and turning means connected to said screw members for turning the same.

12. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being locatedopposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; moving means for moving said perforating means and guide roller therewith toward and away from said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means, said moving means including a pair of carriers slidably mounted on said support means and turnably carrying said guide roller and perforating means, a pair of screw members extending transversely to said roller axis, threadedly engaging said carriers, respectively, and being restrained against axial movement, and turning means connected to said screw members for turning the same; and adjusting means operatively connected to said guide roller for moving the same toward and away from said perforating means so as to adjust the location of said guide roller with respect to said perforating means.

13. Apparatus for perforating strips of sheet material at regular intervals comprising, in combination, support means; a guide roller mounted for rotation about its axis on said support means and being adapted to guide a strip of sheet material; perforating means mounted on said support means for rotation about an axis parallel to said roller axis and being movable through a cylindrical space located next to said roller to perforate a strip of sheet material passing thereover; drive means mounted on said support means for driving said perforating means and including a first crank turnable about a predetermined axis parallel to said roller axis and being formed with a groove extending radially from said predetermined axis and facing said perforating means; a second crank connected to said perforating means for rotation therewith and being located opposite said first crank; a slide member turnably connected to said second crank and being slidably located in said groove of said first crank; moving means for moving said perforating means and guide roller therewith toward and away from said predetermined axis so as to adjust the location of said slide member in said groove to regulate the turning speed of said perforating means, said moving means including a pair of carriers slidably mounted on said support means and turnably carrying said guide roller and perforating means, a pair of screw members extending transversely to said roller axis, threadedly engaging said carriers, respectively, and being restrained against axial movement, and turning means connected to said screw members for turning the same; and adjusting means operatively connected to said guide roller for moving the same toward and away from said perforating means so as to adjust the location of said guide roller with respect to said perforating means, said adjusting means including a pair of bearings turnably supporting said guide roller, a shaft fixed to said bearings and extending therethrough along a line parallel to and spaced from said roller axis, and turning means connected to said shaft for turning the same.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 and wherein said turning means is in the form of a pair of worm wheels respectively connected to said screw members, a pair of worms respectively meshing with said worm wheels, and a shaft fixed to said worms so that when said, shaft is retated said screw members are simultaneously turned.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

